THE organiser of Pendle Beer Festival is stepping down after 10 years – sparking a call for a successor to ensure the event doesn’t go flat.

Martyn Pashley has been the man behind every beer festival in the borough so far, but says it’s time for a young real ale enthusiast to take over.

The East Lancs CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) group is now searching for a new organiser.

This year's festival, on the first weekend of February at Colne Muni, raised a record £7,511 for Pendleside Hospice. It saw more than 12,000 pints served and 2,700 people come through the doors, with 168 different beers served.

Over the past 10 years, the event has raised thousands of pounds for charity.

Mr Pashley said: “I’ve been chairman for 10 years and I think the time has come to step aside and let some of the younger ones take over. I will remain on the committee and I’m sure the festival will continue to go from strength to strength. We have a strong membership.”

East Lancs CAMRA are holding their next meeting in Barnoldswick on Saturday when the future of the event will be the main item for discussion.

A spokesman for East Lancs CAMRA said: “We urgently need to find another member to take over as festival organiser – otherwise this major event in our local calendar will just fizzle out.

“As it happens, our next branch meeting is in the Pendle area.

“It would be really great if as many of the existing Pendle festival committee as possible could attend, along with as many of our Pendle members as possible.”

The meeting starts at 2pm at The Fountain, in Church Street and all members are welcome.